Gallery 6: Temporary Exhibition Area

A Sedan chair

This gallery is used for a programme of changing exhibition and events. Please look at our Events page to learn more.

In this age of mini–cabs and shop mobility it is easy to forget that in the past the average person walked. If he couldn't walk he didn't go! The ladies of Ely however had a sedan chair and after careful restoration you see it in its present conserved state. At one time there were two of these chairs: one for the town ladies and one for the cathedral ladies! How they agreed whose turn it was to use it, and what the order of priority may have been is not recorded but presumably with one to share between several, arrivals at community events must have been staggered!

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